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  Discussion on Spreading Manure on Pastures a bad idea?
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Member:
Lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 - 12:03 pm:

Hi Dr. O and all,

My latest issue of the "Practical Horseman" has an article on de-worming horses. It discusses growing resistance to some de-wormers, pyrantel pamoate among them.

However, my real reason for this post is the recommendation for manure management. It recommends NOT spreading manure on pastures, even if it is composted manure, and not to harrow pastures. To quote: "Contrary to popular belief, breaking up manure piles to expose parasite eggs to the elements does not kill them."

I discussed this with my Vet just today, and, because I am using daily dewormer, he does not believe that it is too risky for me to spread manure. My manure, while not properly composted (only the center of the pile gets warm, and probably not hot enough to destroy parasite eggs), is usually well aged, sometimes more than a year. I only spread in the summertime, when the grass is actively growing, and usually keep the horses of that pasture for at least a month.

I would like to hear if I am putting my horses at risk with this method. Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Lilo
Member:
Christos

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 13, 2005 - 2:17 pm:

There's no reason for your manure not to be properly composted, Lilo, since you pile it anyway. Check this link:
https://pods.dasnr.okstate.edu/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-2070/F-1729web.pdf

I believe that spreading uncomposted manure will only questionably control parasites. It will kill some at the time of exposure to air and sun but on the other hand it will also help the survivors multiply, as it attracts flies and offers good hatching conditions.

Not harrowing your pasture does make it harder for parasites (insignificantly so, I guess) but it also makes it a lot harder for ground worms, who are essential for your pasture's health.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 7:41 am:

Lilo, we have been reporting on the problem with growing pyrantel resistance for 2 years now and strongly suggest you move away from this, or at the least incorporate it into a yearly rotation program with other dewormers, for more see Overview of Deworming.

If your fecals are excellent I think you can spread your manure safely following aging and composting. I think the article misrepresents what breaking up the piles does: it does not kill the parasites but makes them more susceptible to dessication. If it is moist and cool when your spread they will persist, if it is hot and dry they will die more quickly. I have not heard that composting is not effective at elimianting parasites but cannot find support that it is either.
DrO
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 11:32 am:

Christos,
Thanks for your quick response and the link. I printed it out to review how closely it matches my manure management.
Lilo
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Thursday, Apr 14, 2005 - 12:03 pm:

Dr. O,

I am aware of the pyrantel resistance, and had mentioned it to my Vet before. He had not experienced anything like that in his practice. I showed him the article yesterday, and he pointed out that the article implicates Pyrantel Pamoate, while the daily dewormer has Pyrantel Tartrate as active ingredient. But, he acknowledges that resistance could be developing.

Pfizer (maker of Strongid C & Strongid C 2X daily dewormers), still offers its Preventicare Program and it includes 2x yearly dewormings with Equell (ivermectin) or Equimax (ivermectin/praziquantel). The program will pay 5000 dollars toward the expenses of surgical colic if it becomes necessary. Does anyone have experience with that program?

However, the same article in "Practical Horseman" says that while no resistance to ivermectin or moxidectdin has been documented in strongyles, resistance has been found among large roundworms.

In general, the article is close to the Horseman's Advisor's recommendations in the article on deworming, stressing fecal egg counts to evaluate whether the program is working or not.

Regarding pasture management, since we have hot and dry summers here in Colorado, I think I can continue to spread the well-aged manure, if I do it in the summer when it is hot and no rain expected.

Thanks for your reply,
Lilo
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 7:37 am:

There is no doubt that over the past 25 years of the intensive use of ivermectin multiple resistance is developing by helminths of all kinds. This is reflected in the decreasing prepatency times of parasites. However concerning the issue of a strong prevalent ivermectin resistance by round worms I can not find any support for this in adult horses and in the biggest surveys of the last 2 years, ivermectin reduced round worm egg production to near zero in all adults with round worm producing eggs. If there is any information to the contrary I would interested in it. However there has been a single report of resistance of roundworms in foals in a report from Canada. The cause of this, assuming the product was used correctly is probably 3 fold:

1) that foals metabolize the drug faster
2) the lack of natural resistance making the worms hardier.
3) perhaps developing resistance by the roundworms

It is for the first 2 reasons that we recommend substantially larger doses in foals and have not seen any rounds in foals wormed with ivermectin using our schedule. I am waiting for more reports on round resistance before judging the actual cause.

The active part of the molecule is the pyrantel and it should not matter whether the pamoate or tartrate salt is used. It is fully expected that whether the parasite has become resistant to one there would be cross resistance. What has been remarkable about the daily pyrantel dewormer is how rapid it developed and wide spread the resistance is. Unlike the results for ivermectin, those same surveys indicate a common resistance problem for pyrantel. If your farm has not yet developed resistance Lilo, now would be a good time to begin a yearly rotational program with ivermectin and moxidectin then back to pyrantel to help prevent the development o resistance. Or possibly if you have negative fecals considering using the test and treat regimens in the articles.
DrO
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Friday, Apr 15, 2005 - 12:10 pm:

DrO,

Thanks for your reply. I was quoting a magazine article, and they did not give a basis for their comments. The author of the statements I quoted was a Dr. Robert Dressler (DVM), who, among other things, is the manager of equine technical services at Pfizer Animal Health. So, I was wondering if Pfizer would continue their Preventicare program, if the resistance to Pyrantel is so well documented.

My mare has been on the daily dewormer for about 10 years now, the gelding for 5 years (as long as we had him). I had fecals done on the gelding last year, and they were negative.

I was struggling with joining Preventicare, because I am now retired and the cost of a surgical colic would not be easy to manage under my current financial position. Then again, the mare being 19 years old, I do not know how good her prognosis would be if she had to have surgery. Most of the case histories I have seen (on the Pfizer website) are for younger, physically fit horses.

I am leaning toward the yearly rotational program at this time.
Thanks again for your time,
Lilo
Member:
Redalert

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 9:43 am:

Lilo,
I was just reading the posts between you and DrO, and I can tell you that the program you mention is still in effect. A trainer I use has all of his horses on the daily dewormer, even though they are stalled horses who seldom have turnout, until the end of show season. He has had two colics in the barn, saved all his bills, sent them in, and received compensation for the colic surgery at the University. I believe he has to buy the daily dewormer from our vet, or has documentation through her, but it blew me away that the company would really reimburse him. Just thought I'd let you know of a case that I am aware of. P.S. I spread my horses stalled manure on my pastures with a manure spreader,have an effective worming program, and have no trouble with parasites here in south Georgia!
Nancy
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 3:59 pm:

Nancy,

Thank you so much for your response. Apparently, different vets have different ways of implementing the Preventicare program (with different costs). I believe I will follow Dr. O's suggestion of implementing the yearly rotation, using ivermecting and moxidectin. Plus, have some fecals done to monitor the horses.

That was a good comment about your manure management. Which worming program do you follow?

Thanks for your input,
Lilo
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005 - 7:37 pm:

I would assume manure management would also depend on climate. Like Liselotte, we live in a very arid climate (normally, at least) and although we do compost the barn manure, the manure that is in the pastures we spread and let it dry out. We do fecals and are on a reduced usage of wormers due to the fecal counts.

I too, am amazed that Farnam repaid for the vet bills. I've not joined their program because I didn't think t was worth the expense of daily wormer. Even tho' (knock on wood) I've never had a colic due to worms, or severe enough for surgery, I maybe should rethink my position.
Member:
Redalert

Posted on Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 9:26 am:

Hey Y'all,
I used to "rotate" using ivermectin for a year, then Strongid for three wormings, praziquantel/moxidectin once before using the Strongid,then back on the Ivermectin. I kept pasture horses on the daily wormer, but having read about the resistance factor,decided to quit...not that I saw any worms, but why put a chemical into my horses if it basically is "helping", not hurting worms! Whenever a "newcomer" enters my place, he gets the Panacur power pac, then beck on the regimine with the rest. So, NOW, I basically use Ivermectin, with Praziquantel/Moxidectin, once yearly, and check fecals (from different horses) once or twice a year. If we have especially wet, prolonged conditions, I'll worm again in two months(instead of the usual 3).
It looks like I'm working toward taking on the program described by DrO. It is less "haphazard" than mine, although mine is working.
PS...The Farnam thing was truly amazing to me, too. And the colics had nothing to do with worms!I still am not going to go with their product,BUT WHAT A SELLING POINT!
Nancy
Member:
Lilo

Posted on Thursday, Apr 28, 2005 - 12:29 pm:

Hi, Sara and Nancy,

Thanks for your posts. It helps me to hear how others manage the pastures. My husband and I just bought a new tractor - so, I will be able to mow my pastures more often and hopefully reduce the weeds and we use a manure spreader for spreading (well-aged) manure.

By the way, is Farnam the same as Pfizer (manufacturer of Strongid 2X)?

After many years of draught, we had a wet spring last year and are having a wet spring this year. Hopefully that will also help the pastures. Would love to turn out my horses 24/7, but the pastures would not take it. So, it is "recreational" grazing only, in the summer about 2 hours a day.

Again, thanks for your responses.

Lilo
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 5, 2005 - 8:45 am:

Hello Maureane,
You will need to get a book of parasite ova so that you have photos and descriptions of the common equine parasite ova (and more importantly common contaminants that resemble ova) and they will have a description in there. I will get the name and publisher of the text we use up at the hospital, but briefly:
We buy a prepared supersaturated solution name brand Fecasol. I can't remember if it is a sugar or salt solution. A small amount (about 1/4 teaspoon) of fecal material is put is a standard fecal vial, some Fecasol is added and mixed with the feces. A strainer (comes with the vial) is place in the vial and pushed below the lip. The fecasol is then added until the meniscus just rises above the lip. A cover slip is placed on top of the meniscus and the whole thing allowed to sit for 5 minutes. The eggs float to the top and rest against the cover slip. At the end of the 5 minutes the cover slip is carefully removed, put of a slide and the slide examined at around 100x power.
DrO
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